This is the Brand Risk 14 live blog for Johnny Manziel vs. Bob Menery, the influencer MMA fight on Saturday night at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
A former Heisman trophy winner, Manziel was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft, but was unable to translate his college success to professional football. After washing out of the NFL in just a couple of years, Manziel bounced around other football leagues, eventually landing in the Fan Controlled Football league on the FCF Zappers. That’s where Manziel first encountered Menery who was a part owner of the team.
Menery is a podcaster, comedian, and social media influencer, and reportedly he and Manziel had issues during their time together at the Zappers, leading to this influencer matchup on Saturday. That is, if it even happens. UFC CEO Dana White has been publicly skeptical that Menery will even make the walk come fight night.
Check out the live blog for Manziel vs. Menery below.
Dana White and Hunter Campbell are in the booth for this fight and White insists that Menery is not going to walk out. But he proves White wrong, coming out and very hyped up. In fact, he’s so hyped up that he may have chugged a Red Bull or something. He is very animated.
Manziel comes out and is much more normal. Also he looks a lot bigger. This could be bad.
Manziel is definitely larger and he comes out with real athleticism which is bad for Menery. Manziel throwing several low kicks and this is not a great fight. Both men spazzing out more than fighting. But Manziel keeps kicking and Menery isn’t running away.
Manziel punches so hard he falls over, then gets up and tackles Menery as he comes in. Manziel just more more physical than Menery and he is in side control, then moves to the mount. Menery spits the mouth guard out. Manziel has zero technique but he’s Donkey Konging Menery. Pause in the action and the ref puts the mouth piece in for Menery.
Menery has no ability to get out of this position. He’s flailing and Manziel is landing some hammerfists. Nothing major but the referee intervenes, and Menery is furious. I mean, he wasn’t in trouble, but he also wasn’t getting out. And Manziel does the Alex Pereira arrow celebration.
Johnny Manziel def. Bob Menery via TKO (punches) — 2:16, Round 1.
Manziel gives Menery respect for getting into the ring with him, then sends his thanks to everybody before saying, “I need a cigarette.” Manziel says he’s not interested in fighting again, but this was fun for a one-off.
Menery admits he was getting dominated, but says he was fine when the ref stopped it. Menery is walking a fine line between acknowledging that he probably wasn’t going to win, but also that Manziel is way bigger than him. But he agree with Manziel that he doesn’t want to fight again after that bad performance.
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